“When wind turbines were first installed, they are installed with huge cranes and high platforms. As you know, [turbines are installed] in places that are far from the city centre and difficult to reach. Once these turbines are installed, it is not easy to procure a crane for periodic maintenance at points such as wings or shadows of wind turbines. That’s where rope access technicians step in. After reaching that point, the whole operation related to the work is performed in this step.”
Rope access technicians in western Turkey provide services for wind power plants performing maintenance work at hundreds of meters on wind turbines.
They carry out their work in situations which would appear more like ‘acrobatics’ to most people, on the end of ropes, tens of meters above the ground, sometimes above the sea and into really confined spaces.
Increased renewable energy investments in Turkey, has over 3,500 wind turbines. Turbines, where huge cranes and high platforms are used during the installation phase, require routine maintenance and repair work in certain periods. Therefore, the number of rope access technicians who maintain and repair turbines has increased in the growing sector. To become a rope access technician who do not to have a fear of heights and confined spaces, the first step is to get the “Working at Height” certificate issued by organizations with Global Wind Organization (GWO) attending a certificate course. In the certification training, the candidates have to receive hard training and prepare for all scenarios that may occur at height. Candidates get certificated if they pass the exam at the end of the training. After completing technical training, the field mission of rope access technicians begins. The work of technicians climbing the turbines takes about 1 hour on each wing. As turbines are installed in places that are far from the city center and difficult to reach, it is not easy to procure a crane for periodic maintenance at points such as wings or shadows of wind turbines. “That’s where rope access technicians step in.” said Baris Ates, a rope Access instructor of Mira Rope Access company in Izmir province. He added “After reaching that point and reaching that point, the whole operation related to the work is performed in this step. “Excitement mixed with slight fear, of course, I have felt” rope access technician, Ali Basaran, said, sharing his experience on the day he climbed on tribune for the first time. With his seven years of experiences in the sector, he noted “Height is something that can be used. Over time, you can overcome those fears with experience.” Nick Note: wind turbines are located in the most hostile environments in the world like the north sea. Subject to wind, salt, hailstones and birds strikes the blades get chewed up. Requiring constant maintenance and protective coatings. Turbines are really really are unworkable. Do i really want to invest in a machine that takes spider man to do routine maintenance, And a crain barge to replace the major components? Now don’t get me started on the OFTEN planetary gear and bearing failures. The wind speed has to be just right. To little wind the blades stall. To fast they have to go to free wheeling mode because if you spin the turbine to fast it will fly apart.